Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has expressed mixed feelings about Australia’s young batting debutant Sam Konstas and his potential in Test cricket. The 19-year-old showed glimpses of brilliance during his debut series against India, scoring 60, 8, 23, and 22 in two matches. However, Harmison believes Konstas’ unrefined defensive technique could limit his success at the highest level.

Speaking on talkSPORT Cricket, Steve Harmison highlighted the duality of Konstas’ prospects, stating, “Part of me thinks Sam Konstas won’t play even 10 Test matches. Part of me thinks this kid can be an absolute superstar if he delivers. He’s got the chat, he’s got the ramps, he’s got the scoops, he’s got the big shots, but has he got a defensive technique to open the batting in Test match cricket against the world’s best?”

Konstas’ bold stroke play, including audacious ramps and scoops against a bowler of Jasprit Bumrah’s calibre, and his confident demeanour on the field were notable. However, his technical vulnerabilities were equally exposed by India’s pace attack, raising questions about his ability to handle top-quality bowling consistently.

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Harmison also compared Konstas to retired Australian opener David Warner, noting that the teenager seems to emulate Warner’s aggressive style but lacks the same technical robustness.

“I look at him and think he just wants to be David Warner. Technically, he’s nowhere near as good as David, and that for me… if he is opening the batting against England, I’d be happy,” Steve Harmison remarked, hinting at the upcoming Ashes in November.

For now, Konstas has been included in Australia’s 16-man squad for their tour of Sri Lanka, alongside Nathan McSweeney, the man he replaced in the third Test against India. While McSweeney is considered a promising player against spin, Konstas doesn’t share the same reputation, making the Sri Lanka series a challenging prospect for him.

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With Australia already through to the World Test Championship final, the two-match Test series offers an opportunity for experimentation. Playing both McSweeney and Konstas could provide valuable insights into their capabilities. The series, set in spin-friendly Galle, begins on January 29, with the second Test starting on February 6. For Konstas, it’s another chance to showcase his potential and work on the gaps in his game against demanding conditions.